Romney raising funds, staying in spotlight

By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
Published: Sunday, June 1, 2008 12:15 a.m. MDT
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Mitt Romney is again making Utah headlines, co-hosting yet another Republican fundraiser and appearing on the short list of vice presidential prospects for John McCain. All this activity is raising some questions:

Is Romney wearing out his welcome here in Utah with his never-ending fundraising activities?

Pignanelli: "How much must we bleed for the guy?" a former Romney activist recently inquired. Utahns respect and admire Romney for his success in business and the Winter Olympics. Of course, this affection is fostered by his mutual faith. As a candidate, Romney was smart to tap the Mormon network for money and volunteers. Long after his withdrawal from the presidential contest, Romney continues to squeeze Utahns for McCain and the national party. Questions arise whether he has similar ability to press in Massachusetts and Michigan.

But there is a bigger issue. All this local money may boost Romney's chances for the vice presidency or Cabinet position, but will it help Utah in the long run? Several Republican analysts believe scarce resources are better spent in bolstering leadership PACs of senators Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch. Because the GOP numbers in the U.S. Senate are likely to drop after the next election, financial assistance to enhance the congressional delegation will directly benefit Utah. As one insider put it, "Our guys in Congress can do more for Utah in one year than a Cabinet member can do in eight." Thousands of Utahns donated countless hours to ensure the 2002 Olympics succeeded — providing the launch pad for Romney. Others volunteered time and money to the Romney presidential campaign. Perhaps our state has done enough for a talented — but nonresident — politician.

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Webb: Yes, Romney donor fatigue is setting in. He has hauled unprecedented amounts of money out of Utah, especially considering he's not a Utahn. There clearly are limits, especially among those who can only afford to give small to medium amounts. The super-wealthy can max out their contributions without a second thought, but that's not the case for most people.

But even with donor fatigue, the events last Wednesday featuring President Bush and Romney, plus local political stars like Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt, and members of the congressional delegation, were bound to attract big money. Despite fewer donors than expected in the midrange categories, probably more than $2 million was raised in one day. There's more political money in Utah than is commonly acknowledged. Despite his terrible job-approval numbers, President Bush has the capacity to raise big money wherever he goes from wealthy Republican faithful.

Romney is clearly going to keep his fundraising machine operating. I recently received an e-mail solicitation to contribute to a new PAC he has created so he can support other Republican candidates, travel the country and keep his political stock high.

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